Just last year, Nina Hughes (right) embarked on her professional boxing career, building upon her experience with the GB Olympic team. Next up, the IBF flyweight title bout between Sunny Edwards and Andres Campos, taking place on Saturday, 10 June at the OVO Arena, Wembley. Tune into BBC Radio 5 Live from 22:00 BST for radio commentary and Sport News Center website & app from 21:00 BST for live text commentary and reactions.
Even in the realm of women’s boxing, the meteoric rise of Nina Hughes is truly unprecedented.
In November of the previous year, after merely five professional fights, Hughes claimed the WBA bantamweight champion title by outperforming Jamie Mitchell in Dubai. This is particularly extraordinary considering Hughes is a 41-year-old mother of two who also holds a part-time secretarial job to support her children.
“It’s surreal,” she confides in Sport News Center. “I become a world champion after just five fights – it’s all happened so swiftly.”
Following her world title victory, Hughes has been signed on by Matchroom Boxing, one of the country’s leading promotions, and she will defend her title for the first time in London against Katie Healey this Saturday.
Hughes will be among four Brits vying for world titles at the OVO Arena in Wembley, the largest venue she has ever competed in, with a seating capacity of 12,500.
However, Hughes’ journey to this point hasn’t been as straightforward as it might seem. She’s been boxing for over 15 years and has faced countless dismissals, often from herself.
Hailing from Grays in Essex, she started boxercise classes at 25, with no initial ambitions of entering the ring competitively.
“I was just enjoying the fitness, but my coach persuaded me to give it a try,” she recalls. “So I began sparring, then he told me ‘you’re ready to box’.
Hughes’ incredible journey was certainly not devoid of hurdles. She commenced her amateur career after training in a women’s gym, and despite numerous challenges, her efforts paid off when she was selected for the British team.
Hughes represented the country in global tournaments alongside other fighters, including Nicola Adams, who competed in the same weight class. However, while Adams was chosen for the 2012 London Olympics, the first Olympics to include women’s boxing, Hughes didn’t make the cut.
After feeling like she had reached her limit in boxing due to limited opportunities for women to go professional, Hughes decided to leave the sport and focus on her family.
Despite these obstacles, Hughes’ passion for the sport remained undeterred. She returned to the gym just three weeks after giving birth to her second child, but she didn’t consider fighting professionally again until the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown.
Hughes embarked on her professional career by joining the Newlands gym in Wickford, and from there, the rest is a boxing story still being written.
In December 2021, Hughes had her first professional fight and subsequently took on three fights in six months throughout 2022. This led to the match with reigning bantamweight champion Mitchell, where she was the underdog. However, Hughes secured a unanimous points victory, much to the surprise of her opponent.
Now, as a world champion, Hughes aims to face big matches in the future, starting with a bout against Wolverhampton’s Healey.
“People may have written me off due to my age and lack of professional experience, but it’s been a 15-year journey to reach this point,” she states.
“It all started as
7 comments
Wow, what a story! Nina is an absolute inspiration. Proves that it’s never too late to chase your dreams, innit?
Honestly, I’m in awe. A 41 year old mom and a world champion. She’s a superhero, no less. Can’t imagine balancing a job, kids and boxing training…superwoman!
Nina Hughes, respect! Who says age is a barrier. She’s shattered all stereotypes. More power to her.
This is so motivating. I mean, think about it, she’s 41 and still kickin it in the ring. Incredible.
I can’t believe it, She’s proved that age ain’t nothing but a number. We should all be taking notes.
Just shows ya, nothing’s impossible if you’ve got the grit and determination. Hats off to Nina!
She’s a champ! Mitchell must have had quite the surprise, hehe. Excited to see her future matches!